This is Art You Can Use. No tucking it away on a high shelf, no agonizing over whether it’s too fine to use: does Aunt Joyce really deserve the nice stationery? The gorgeous patterns of Brookfield Letterpress Stationery are designed by Elisabeth Hyder, a former kindergarten teacher originally from Switzerland, and their vibrant colors and intriguing design mean this stationery is most definitely meant for Aunt Joyce, birthday parties, thank you notes, happy-to-see-you again notes and everyday invitations.

Elisabeth, who studied crafts as part of her teacher training, has always been an artist. Her husband and frequent collaborator, Darrell Hyder of The Sun Hill Press, has been a letterpress printer for over 40 years, working with both classic hand type and hot metal monotype. As their four children grew and left home, Elisabeth settled more deeply into her craft and soon their home overflowed with her decorative paste paper and beautiful rubber stamp designs. Together, she and Darrell have produced stationery, decorative papers, books and ephemera for years. Each year, Elisabeth designs new patterns for note cards as well as the cover designs for Sun Hill miniature books; together she and Darrell do all of the printing and editing of the OrangeArt Miniature Books.

Way back in the early 1990s, their good friends Carol and John, who are fine stationery manufacturers and wholesalers, asked if Darrell could create a letterpress sheet of Elisabeth’s stamps. Not only would they be beautiful papers for their customers, they thought, but they could be converted into a line of stationery for everyone to enjoy. And so it began. An enterprise rooted in friendship and beautiful products for all to enjoy.

Twenty years later their friendship and artistic collaboration continues strong, and we’re pleased to add their lovely work to our own pantheon of letterpress papers. Why do these products make people—including us—smile so much? Elisabeth’s patterns recall favorite fabrics, bookbinders’ tools, Japanese prints and the feel of depth is the result of rich, hand-mixed ink literally sunk into fine paper on heavy letterpresses by Darrell. The stationery products made by OrangeArt are useful as well as beautiful and are made entirely in New England .

Brookfield Stationery’s motto is “Art You Can Use.” Art that brightens every day, accompanies you to dinner parties and PTA functions, and brings some vibrant New England-Swiss beauty into your home. While we love these for our own any-occasion correspondence, we’ve also found these notecards also make a great small gift perfect for hosts or hostesses, friendly neighbors, and the unexpected gift exchange. Even better, each stationery box has been wrapped with letterpress sheets to be refilled or re-purposed again: no wrapping required.

Arpa Artesanos del Papel (ARPA), was founded by Enrique Garcia in 1993. A paper engineer with over forty years of industry experience, Garcia’s goal then—as now—was to catapult his experience into making high quality, artisanal paper. He certainly succeeds with these beautiful ARPA notecards!

The inherent beauty of these note cards comes from ARPA signature combination of historic artisanal knowledge and commitment to consistent quality. From its headquarters in the historic Mediterranean port city of Alicante, Spain, ARPA painstaking creates each individual sheet of paper according to time-honored tradition. First, sustainable cotton is harvested, then treated and refined in a Hollander beater. A 17th century Dutch invention, this Hollander beater cuts and caresses the fibers as well as fibrillating and hydrating them. No chlorine or other chemical treatment is used during the glue process, and the colored notecards are delicately tinted using only natural pigments. Each sheet of paper is individually created, from the smallest calling card to bath-sheet sized Fine Art paper. This means that every edge of ARPA paper carries that delightful deckled edge. The wet sheets are pressed between two wool filters, for that distinctive ARPA finish, and then air dried to assure the appropriate volume.

Enrique Garcia oversees every step of this complex process. Each element of the paper’s production, from fiber length to dimensional stability, from color to ink resistance, and from surface texture to archival quality, is carefully and minutely controlled. This exacting attention to every detail ensures that every batch of paper is a uniform, lovely product, just waiting for your pen.

For ARPA, quality is synonymous with historic artisanship and ecological responsiveness. That this bundle of feel-good note set has such an attractive, touchable finish and comes wrapped in traditional string with a red wax seal, makes us feel simply fabulous. Let these elegant notecards connect you to the Spanish coast, sunshine, and sea, and simpler, perhaps more thoughtful, time.

Original Crown Mill Stationery

Imported from Belgium
Deluxe stationery with a pop of color
10 laid finish cards
10 tissue lined envelopes
Write like a king… loved by royal courts dating back to the 17th century

The requests to bring on this fantastic stationery have poured in from all over. Finally, we’re happy to announce Original Crown Mill has arrived in a myriad of beautiful colors. If you love having a great note card on hand, and love the element of surprise with a lined envelope, Original Crown Mill is a must-have. Shop Original Crown Stationery»

An august lineage peppered with royal orders and paper-making monks?Oh yes.

Original Crown Mill paper actually dates back as far as 1478 when the Holy Roman Emperor of the time, Emperor Maximilian I, granted the monks of the Belgian hamlet La Hulpe permission to build a mill on Grand Etang (Big Pond). They did and, bolstered by their close proximity to Brussels and the clear, pure waters of the ‘silver river’ L’Argentine, they thrived. The monastery quickly became a hub of fine paper-making, earning the Crown’s ultimate seal of approval when King Philip IV of Spain invested La Hulpe with the title “Imperial and Royal Paper Manufacture” in 1664.

Another two centuries on, and Belgium’s Industrial Revolution hit. Enter Frederic Pelletier who, in 1870, set out to preserve and continue the 17th handmade paper style. Since then, the venerable Pelletier company has produced this crisp laid finish paper to exacting standards of elegance, supplying the Belgian Royal Family (and the rest of us) with beautiful, evocative stationery.

Today, we’re thrilled to add this handsome, Vergé stationery to European Paper Company’s line up. The Silk Tissue Note Cards, with their laid paper envelopes and brightly colored lining add a distinguished frisson to your correspondence, invitations and thank you notes. If the luxury of pure cotton paper is more your style, indulge in our Correspondence A5 Pad and the matching C6 envelopes, lined with white tissue. You’ll find that Original Crown Mill paper is fountain pen friendly and perfect for pen pals and special occasions alike.

Have a review you’d like included in the round-up? Post the link and title in the comments and we’ll add it here! Note that our comments are moderated, so if it doesn’t show immediately we’ll get to it soon.

The luxe Mode de Paris stationery is perfect for expressing your sentiments in a memorable way. Elegant and classy, the Mode de Paris boxed stationery comes with 30 flat note cards and 30 matching lined envelopes for exceptional correspondence your family, friends, and penpals will want to keep at hand for years. Check out all G. Lalo Stationery here!

The Moleskine Messages Postal Notebooks and Note Cards are a brand new way to share your love of Moleskine! Pop them in the mail to your family, friends, and penpals. They’re available in 2 sizes, 2 formats, and 4 cover colors. Trust us, everyone loves a handwritten hello! Shop all Moleskine Messages here.

Have you used Amalfi paper before? If so, you’ll be thrilled to hear it’s now available in grab-and-go personalized packs of eight note cards and eight envelopes! And if not, we’ve got a new set of note cards to introduce to you! We guarantee it will add a sparkle to your stationery collection.

Grab the luxurious Amalfi stationery you see and feel in wedding announcements and invitations in your own small set of 8 flat cards perfect for everyday correspondence. From one of the most renowned paper makers in Europe comes five sets of 8-count stationery packs. Simple sets of correspondence notes made by hand from the finest cotton since the 14th century. Their soft texture is incomparable and filled with elegance as each Amalfi note card and envelope is crafted with the utmost care, using many of the methods first developed in the Middle Ages. The deckled edge gives it a soft touch and makes it a superb choice in premium stationery to write on to your penpals, friends, family, and business contacts.

Check out the full brand story on our blog here to read all about Amalfi paper made by Cartiere Amatruda! Below are the NEW Amalfi 8-Count Note Card Sets.

Luxurious Amalfi stationery, from one of the most renowned paper making centers in Europe, has been made by hand from the finest cotton for centuries. Its soft texture is incomparable and filled with elegance and character. Southeast from Naples, Italy, Amalfi is one of the oldest papermaking centers in Europe.

A Little Bit of Papermaking History

Paper mills in the Amalfi region actually have been traced back to as early as the 13th Century. As the demand for paper increased into the 15th Century the number of mills grew past the few local families who started the Amalfi papermaking trend. The industry boomed in the region and it quickly grew a reputation for high-quality cotton paper. The mid-1700s brought new manufacturing / machining processes, and sadly the decline of handmade paper began (peaking in the mid 1800s).

The classic Amalfi paper mills that had lasted for centuries in the region struggled for years against modern advances in papermaking and in 1954 were almost completely wiped out by a catastrophic flood. Out of the 16 paper mills in the area, three remained after the flood. The one we know and love today that goes by the name of “Amalfi Paper” on our site and is produced by Cartiera Amatruda, was saved by none other than Luigi Amatruda, a descendant of one of the oldest papermaking families on the Amalfi coast.

Amatruda Namesake

Amalfi Watermarked Stationery Set 20 count on EuropeanPaper.com

Records of the Amatruda family actually date back to 1198 in Amalfi and the oldest Amatruda watermark comes from around the 14th century. Located on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, this stationery is still handmade by Cartiera Amatruda. The Amatruda paper mill is in the ancient Mill Valley of Amalfi, in a spectacular bridged position over the Canneto River. The first floor of the current longstanding Amatruda paper mill dates back to the 15th Century and the paper manufacturing tradition of the Amatruda family dates back to 1380.

Each naturally deckle-edged Amalfi sheet is handcrafted with the utmost care, using many of the original papermaking methods from the beginning of the Amatruda mill. Sized for the best possible writing quality, Amalfi paper is special in its depth of connecting the past with the present.

Finely Crafted Process

When the Amatruda family first opened their mill, they used cotton, linen, or hemp rags (today it’s 100% cotton), which were then put in stone tubs (also known as vats). The rags in the vats were pounded and reduced to pulp by a series of wooden mallets, working due to the power of the surrounding waterways.

A mould with a net of wires in the shape of the family’s watermark (usually in the middle) was then dipped in the tubs multiple times to form a sheet out of the pulp. After squeezing the water out and drying the sheets, papermakers would go over each piece to smooth out any imperfections and pick the most valuable cards.

Use Amalfi in All Occasions

Amalfi Folded Notes 8 count on EuropeanPaper.com

Amalfi paper is best known for use in wedding invitations, life-cycle announcements, graduations, and other special events. Today however, we also offer it in personalized packs with 8 sheets and 8 envelopes of your choice between folded or flat cards. Perfect for everyday correspondence, the new 8-count individualized grab-and-go packs are the right amount for a touch of excellence.

With such an amazing history, Amalfi 100% cotton paper sheets and cards are a joy to give to family and friends, as well as to gift yourself with. To this day, Cartiere Amatruda keeps the papermaking process 100% natural, meaning no dyes, chemicals, or the like. As a favorite among letter writers, letterpress professionals, and stationery aficionados, we personally recommend Amalfi paper to anyone looking for an extra touch of elegance in their correspondence or special occasions.

Planning a wedding can be a huge and overwhelming task. From food to flowers, there are so many decisions to make. One of the most daunting tasks can be putting together your invitations: the paper, the wording, the typography, the printing method, and more. Let us help you make at least one decision! Here are the basics of what to look for in wedding stationery.

Material

Before you select your paper think about how you want it to feel. Cotton fiber is the most traditional wedding invitation choice, and cotton invitations can be incredibly elegant. Cotton isn’t your only choice when it comes to your stationery. In fact, you can choose a paper that will fit with the overall theme of your big day.

Fabriano Medioevalis Cotton Stationery for Weddings

For instance, paper with a linen finish is an excellent choice for wedding stationery. It’s important to realize, though, that linen will feel grainier than a pure cotton stock. This makes it an excellent choice for an outdoor wedding or for a preppy ceremony.

Handmade paper, often from cotton, hemp, or rag fibers, will have an even rougher texture. The uniqueness of the paper can be the perfect fit for a country or rustic wedding. Parchment paper is translucent. Often, parchment paper will overlay a thick card, and sometimes the invitation is printed directly onto the parchment. This is another formal choice.

Stock

Once you’ve decided on a feel, think about the stock of the paper. Stock refers to the thickness, weight, or heaviness of the paper. For a formal wedding invitation, look for a high number card stock. Some papers you’ll find in as high a weight as 260 g or even higher, while another readily available paper weight for wedding stationery is around 180 g. You’re probably familiar with receiving invitations in a heavy stock accompanied by a small slip of tissue paper or parchment, so if you save letters, invitations, and the like, take a look back at what others have chosen.

Finishes

Along with the fiber and stock, you will want to select a finish. There are glossy options available, though matte – opaque and non-reflective – is common for wedding stationery. For a more abstract, artistic option, marbled paper is a decorative option. Whichever finish you choose, make sure your printer approves and has the capability to work with your choice because the paper choice must be compatible with the printing method.

Handmade Amalfi stationery for weddings with deckled or straight edges

Flourishes

There are a number of decorative flourishes you can choose. Do you want straight, smooth edges? Alternatively, deckled edges are popular for wedding stationery. Deckled edges are the torn edge of handmade paper. Another option is to choose a corrugated finish, which can be characterized by thick ridges or grooves. Both Amalfi and Fabriano offer stationery with deckled edges.

Watermark

A watermark is a sign of fine paper. When you hold the paper up to light, a translucent emblem that signifies the paper company or boutique becomes evident (such as on the Amalfi Watermarked Stationery Set). A watermark conveys quality and elegance.

Your wedding invitations are the first glimpse your family and friends get of your wedding, and just like the big day we know you want it to be perfect. Plan far enough ahead that you have plenty of time to take into consideration each of the five wedding stationery features mentioned above, and you may even want to order your Thank You Cards at the same time for consistency. Whether you’re planning a wedding currently or just curious, ask any questions regarding wedding stationery in the comments!

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Meet the Writer:Maggie Marton is a freelance writer who lives in Bloomington, Indiana, with her husband and their three darling dogs. View more of Maggie’s work at MaggieMarton.com

Mudlark Papers is a family-owned company based out of Bolingbrook,Illinois. Founded in 1994 by Doug Hamilton, Mudlark makes artful and inspiring lifestyle products while remaining mindful to the environment. Their stationery products and accessories are made with sustainable and natural materials that live up to the standards of any true eco-friendly company. The calming balance of their products is unparalleled by most other stationery brands and begs to be shared with family, friends, and pen pals.

Note Card Nirvana

Mudlark Eco Coralina Memento Boxed Note Cards

The staple product at Mudlark are their beautiful boxed note card sets. These cards come in a set of 20 and all feature unique cover designs that are perfect down to every little detail. The blank cards are a perfect space to write a quick invitation, greeting, thank you, or reminder. Included in the set are 20 plain envelopes so you can send a note card to all of your friends and family. Each set comes in a matching keepsake box, a perfect complement to the note cards.

By now, we’re pretty sure an infinite amount of uses exist for the keepsake boxes, but here are a few ideas: Store your family’s secret recipes, favorite photos, personal notes, and mementos. It can also be used for storing office accessories, change, or small collectibles. The boxes even have an enlightening quote on the inside cover reminding us of little truths in life, such as “Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.” by Walt Whitman. These sets are refined, artsy, and elegant while remaining really fun and useful. We also carry some Mudlark travel accessories for all you steadfast nomads traveling in style.

Sustainability

Mudlark Eco Clare de Lune Boxed Note Cards

While Mudlark already stands out stylistically, their environmental practices back up the earthy name of the brand. The beautiful thing is that Mudlark is not jumping on this trend; they have always operated this way because it is the right thing to do. Their stationery products are made from at least 80% post-consumer fibers. All inks printed on the products are soy-based, which requires less irrigation in the agricultural process and creates less pollution in the printing and recycling processes. Furthermore, their products are packaged in air pillows, cleverly avoiding the use of packing peanuts that are harmful to our environment.

The word sophisticated carries a heavy load of stigma … dare we use it? Absolutely, because Mudlark is sophisticated in the best ways possible: Cultured and refined, yet mindful and balanced. The act of writing becomes even more relaxing when all we can think to say is “Om.”